marker-assisted selection in wheat

24Marker-assisted selection – Current status and future perspectives in crops, livestock, forestry and fishTable 8Number of projects and countries in which samples were collected according to animal species andFAO regionsSpeciesNumber ofprojectsNumber ofcountriesFAO regionBuffalo 3 9 Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the CaribbeanCattle 24 40 Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the CaribbeanGoat 11 28 Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the CaribbeanSheep 19 56 Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the CaribbeanPig 6 19 Africa, Asia and the Pacific, EuropeAss 1 1 EuropeHorse 5 25 Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean,North AmericaBactrian camel 1 2 Asia and the PacificDromedary 2 7 Africa, Near EastAlpaca 3 2 Near East, Latin America and the CaribbeanRabbit 1 19 Africa, Asia and the Pacific, EuropeChicken 8 34 Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean,Near EastYak 2 8 Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Near EastConclusionsEven if still largely incomplete, the currentdata allow some general conclusions tobe drawn regarding the use of molecularmarkers in agricultural research anddevelopment in developing countries.Molecular markers are widely utilizedin the plant production sector of the developingworld even if the present uptake ofmolecular marker technologies does notreflect their actual potential. It might thereforebe speculated that a significant increasein their utilization might be expected in thenear future. However, it is recommendedthat each technique is carefully assessed forits actual potential for improving the efficiencyof plant breeding and germplasmcharacterization. Until this is demonstrated,the use of molecular markers would bea costly investment with limited returns.Publishing all marker research that has notbeen successful is also strongly encouragedin order to avoid potential failures and/orimporting inappropriate technologies fromdeveloped countries.Major differences exist between regions(and within regions) regarding the applicationof molecular marker techniques in plantbreeding and genetics. While some countrieshave developed quite extensive researchprogrammes, vast geographical areas, particularlyin Africa, remain excluded fromthese technological advancements or cancount only on minimal activities. This can beexplained by the relatively high investmentsin infrastructure and human resources necessaryto undertake research in this field.High costs can also be indicated as a causeof the low technological level of geneticmarker research in many countries, whichfocus on isozymes or on restriction fragmentlength polymorphisms (RFLPs) andhave not yet adopted the more advancedpolymerase chain reaction (PCR)-basedmarkers. However, the life span of PCRbasedmarkers is very short and it might bebetter to wait until improved markers suchas single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)become available. The spectrum of applicationof molecular markers to crop plantsin developing countries is quite wide andcovers many plant species that are relevantfor the enhancement of food security orfor the improvement of farmers’ incomes